Let's Talk - Cobra Kai

3 Lessons From The Karate Kid Part III

October 22, 2021 Just Curious Media Episode 74
Let's Talk - Cobra Kai
3 Lessons From The Karate Kid Part III
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Let's Talk - Cobra Kai
Episode 74: 3 Lessons From The Karate Kid Part III

Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez discuss 3 valuable lessons that Cobra Kai can learn from The Karate Kid Part III.

Original Episode: S03E33

Recorded: 10-20-21
Studio: Just Curious Media
https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/

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Jason Connell:

Welcome to Just curious media. This is let's talk Cobra Kai. I'm Jason Connell.

Sal Rodriguez:

And I'm Sal Rodriguez.

Jason Connell:

All right sound we are back for a nother special episode.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, yeah, this was interesting. Really gets the mind. All kinds of things happening what what could happen what shouldn't happen for season four of Cobra Kai?

Jason Connell:

Yes. And today we're exploring this article that I stumbled on an inverse magazine written by Laura Kelly. And the articles title is Cobra Kai Season Four must learn three lessons from the worst Karate Kid movie.

Sal Rodriguez:

I think this is a really great article. I'm very excited that we're talking about it today. But, Laura, I disagree that it's the worst I don't use. I don't use the phrase worst me me personally. Sal Rodriguez does not use the word worst. When I refer to anything Karate Kid or Cobra Kai.

Jason Connell:

I agree. But if you were you probably be referring to the next Karate Kid.

Sal Rodriguez:

Okay, well, you know, there's the phrase I like to use. The one I like the least my least favorite, right? My least favorite. It doesn't mean it's the worst. I'm not saying the worst. I don't even invoke the word. I say not my favorite.

Jason Connell:

Well, moving on. This article gets into the Karate Kid three is generally considered the worst in the series. And for good reason. But what can Cobra Kai is next season learn from the weakest film in the franchise now, there's a saving grace, it's probably the weakest film in the franchise, meaning the first three, the next credit kids more like a cousin, stepchild, something for him. And then the remake. That's a whole other thing. Probably a better film The next credit kid, but that's a discussion for another day. But yes, it gets the mind work and sound you're right. And it was kind of fun. There's a lot of good stuff in this article made me laugh. So what we're gonna do is we're going to hit a few points, she kind of goes over the Karate Kid a little bit. And so what kind of hash over some of that as we get into these big three lessons that Cobra Kai must

Sal Rodriguez:

learn? Yeah, a list of three list of three.

Jason Connell:

But before that, here's kind of some backstory. So the Karate Kid three takes place. About a year after the events of the first film, Daniel Russo receives a notice from the local karate tournament inviting him back to defend his title with a brand new rule that says Daniel only needs to fight the competition's finalist, it should have been an easy feat for Daniel and kind of unfair rule for the competitors or for his competitors. Now, this comes from the article straight out. I love this talking points out because now we're deep into Cobra Kai. And I know you know that I have my issues with this ridiculous rule and the third Karate Kid, but it made me look at it from a different point of view today. So as I read I was yes. Well, first of all, let's explain. For any listeners who don't know this yet. I'll let you explain what this rule was in the movie. And then I'll give you my new takeaway.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, in a tournament, everybody has to start in the same place. Everybody starts at the bottom and in a tournament. Yeah. And then at the end, there is a champion. Well, for this time, they said the previous year's champion does not have to start at the bottom, we'll fight his way to the top. No, he's grandfathered into the final. And he does not have to fight until the final. So yeah, that really upset you, Jason.

Jason Connell:

Well, it's a plot point. It's not a realistic thing. You know, we're gonna bypass everything, thus making it more scarce for our competitors to get there because once he's taken, it'd be as if Soule when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the most recent Super Bowl with Tom Brady when his seventh title, as if this year, Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner and said, You know what, you guys are so good. We're holding a spot for you the NFC don't even try the AFC, we'll wait for your contender. And we'll play that Super Bowl. It's about that ludicrous to me.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, and it's no different than early UFC for you mixed martial arts fan. Early UFC was tournament style. It wasn't the way that it is now. I mean, guys would even fight to win three times in a night. Imagine fighting to win three MMA matches in a night. It's insane. And that's how it was it was it was tournament style. But guess what, the next year previous year's champion still had to fight everybody and muscle his way to the top. Yeah, there was no grandfathering there.

Jason Connell:

So now thanks for sharing that sound, the backstory and the tie in so here's my question. Thinking about this. This was a new rule for the Karate Kid part three, but assuming it was governed by all Valley, this one Was there rule right? It just kind of happened? Did Johnny ever get the same treatment? Did Vidal before him ever get this treatment?

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, yeah, again, it gets the mind going,

Jason Connell:

or better Yellowlees are better yet. Well Miguel be treated to this ridiculous offering from all Valley and season four of Cobra Kai. You know what? You went through the thing at the school? You broke your back. You're the champ we're holding that spot for you. Is this something that the show runners and I hopefully they do sweep under the rug, or someone ever gonna mention it tongue in cheek, but come on. Obviously, this didn't exist before or after, but it got me thinking.

Sal Rodriguez:

Wait, Jason, refresh my memory in Karate Kid three. When they said you don't have to fight your way to the top. You just you know, you'll be there. Did they say it's a new rule? Did they? Did they say this is new?

Jason Connell:

Well, it came in that letter. Yeah. And it was like, Oh, look, Mr. Miyagi. I can just be in the finals. So I mean, how did that come about? Was this the evil doings of Terry silver, and Martin Cove, although they were already banned from the tournament at that point in time, so I don't know I maybe there was some money under the table. He's grease in hands, and just wanted to lure Danielson back because he was not going to do it. He was not going to defend his title. So anyway, you know, this is a whole fun talking point for me. Trust me.

Sal Rodriguez:

No, but Jason, you're absolutely right. I think that they made a rule change there. They didn't use the word new but it was a new rule change. And they've never addressed it since

Jason Connell:

now. But the showrunner should fix that like something happened maybe Terry Silva was behind it with my said Martin Cove John crease, of course. So you know, we'll find out but funny thing this article sheds light on and here's another talking point. So before we get to the top three, the three things that Cobra Kai must learn, and why don't you take this one?

Sal Rodriguez:

The best part of the Karate Kid three is obviously Terry Silva, who is a master manipulator. He's a pure evil, psychotic villain, complete with a cackling villain laugh so true. His evil plan is to drive a rift between Daniel and Mr. Miyagi and then have Daniel get a royal beat down from deranged, quote, unquote, karate bad boy, Mike Barnes. Oh, he wants to set up a bunch of Cobra Kai dojos around the country. Oh, and dump toxic waste. It was the late 80s week environmental messages were popular at this time. Jason, can I just say this as a former newspaper editor? Yes, please. 80s apostrophe? Eight. Zero s. Yep. Not eight. Zero apostrophe s. Yes. Laura. You're You're great. You're the best. You're the best around. You're the best around.

Jason Connell:

Yeah. My parents was called karate bad boy in that magazine. That tears Yeah, I was flipping through. But I love this car flipping through the magazine. I have to agree with Laura as well. I think Terry silver is by far the best part of the credit card part three. Now listen, anytime we see Mr. Miyagi on screen. Amazing. But Terry silver really shines in this role.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, one would argue that his character was over the top. Oh, you know what one could argue that but but here's what I do like about a character like his. You can love to hate him because there's no doubt he's evil. You don't question? Yeah. Is he evil? Does he deserve my hatred? Does he deserve my mistress? Absolutely. He does. He is a horrible person. You are allowed to hate him. We are to not have any sympathy for Terry silver, our John crease. Okay. Okay. John crease also. We are not to have any sympathy for these guys. But here's what kind of ruined that showing them in Vietnam. Yeah. Showing them in Vietnam. It shows him since.

Jason Connell:

Why the way they are absolutely. Okay. So that was pretty good. I love her take on that. Terry silver. Absolutely. And spot on there. That was the plan all along to create this rift. It worked. I mean, Daniel became a Cobra Kai student, those who don't know that Cobra Kai talked about this. And he asked everybody by saying yeah, I too was Cobra Kai. I was lured by the dark side, so to speak. That was his talking to the young jet eyes.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh, yeah. When it comes to Karate Kid three, what is really embedded in my in my head? Daniel hitting the wood. Oh, yeah. Those wooden dummies. Kicking hitting? Yeah. bloody knuckles. Yes, yes. Is that Oh, boy. Yeah, it's

Jason Connell:

the darkest of the three. I mean, the second one life and death is at play for sure part of your part too. But this one even goes darker. And I think that's why over time and from doing this podcast when I revisited it Yeah, sometimes I'm eye rolling for sure the tournament thing come on, but there's some real beauty in it. And it's over the top at times. But it's kind of that fun thing to go back and watch like, oh, yeah, it's like the one you always forgot about. And every time you watch Karate Kid three, you'll probably pick up on something new. I mean, every time. I mean, they're in the in this house, for God's sakes, that famous house from Blade Runner, it's like, that's so cool. They secure that. I doubt we'll see that again for Cobra Kai, but that would be amazing. Terry Silver's probably down on his luck and Cobra. Ford he's broke.

Sal Rodriguez:

But who knows? No, no, I don't want that JC

Jason Connell:

you want the rich over the top Terry silver.

Sal Rodriguez:

I want Terry silver to show up and not only be rich but be richer. But now from crypto.

Jason Connell:

Yeah, I was gonna say he's crypto man. Yeah, that's what I was in Bitcoin when it was like $1. So yeah, he's, he's a super billionaire. Alright, last point before we get into the three things is in the first film. Great. Good part one. Mr. Miyagi supports Daniel competing when he realizes Cobra Kai will leave him alone. It's true. He drove down to the dojo and then he realized who he's dealing with. And they decided to go to the tournament December 19. So and the credit card Part Two he likes Daniel fight chosen because Kumiko his life was threatened as was Daniels and really Miyagi couldn't do anything about it. They were out on that center island and they threw the you know, the walkway away. So here in credit card part three, Mr. Miyagi refuses to train Daniel for the tournament, even though Mike Barnes tried to kill Daniel and Jessica.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, it's almost like there was a character arc for Mr. Miyagi between Karate Kid two and three. Like there should have been the Karate Kid. 2.5.

Jason Connell:

Right. Yeah. Are yours ideas flipped two and three around, maybe it would have made a little bit more sense. Because yeah, by now Daniel, and Miyagi, have gone off and had this adventure and Okinawa, right? And growing even closer. So now they're back here. And it's kind of like drumming up the past. And Miyagi is probably like tournaments. I mean, what we're taking five steps backwards. And I agree with you. So the more I think about it, the flipping those in order would have been better. And two would have been a better ending for the original trilogy.

Sal Rodriguez:

It would have been an epic, triumphant ending. Yeah, I think as opposed to the second one. Yeah. It talks about what ifs. Yeah, if they would have made two three and three, two, I just think it would have made so much more sense. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

Anyway, so that's it. Wonderful article so far. And now we can get into the three lessons that Cobra Kai Season Four must learn. From she likes to say the worst credit card, maybe we'll just call it the credit card, part three. And here's number three, we're gonna go backwards like a Dave Letterman top 10 Countdown, but just Yes, yes, number three characters need to evolve. At the end of season three, Johnny and Daniel are finally on the same page and have merged their dojos against creases Cobra Kai. However, in season four, the writers won't make the mistake of creating more conflict between these two. They just became allies. Start from there.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah, this is almost though there's no turning back type of mindset. I mean, we have now officially established Daniel and Johnny, not only giving one another the olive branch. Yeah, but now working together side by side. And the common enemy side by side. Yeah, with a common enemy. Okay. So can they go back? Is there any going back? What will be the point of going back?

Jason Connell:

I don't think it would work. So I would not like it because I was sad in a way when they bonded and they went to, you know, the South Seas apartment. And they went and had a drink. And I thought, Oh, these two are close to and then they fell out, you know, fell out of friends. And then they had that episode where they fought the guys who stole the car and they were back in and then they fell out again. This is it. They've come together. They stay together. They don't have to be eye to eye but they can be partners in a way. And you know, it's Tango and Cash. They really do mesh well together, believe it or not, so I want to stay here.

Sal Rodriguez:

Yeah. And also we don't have to choose teams anymore. Yeah, we love them. Yeah, you don't have to choose team Daniel or team Johnny. They don't you know that you don't have to choose anymore. They are now united. You could

Jason Connell:

do a few seasons with crease and silver. And what high jinks they're up to and then you know, Team Miyagi dough. If that's what they're called, they most likely are up to hell. I'd love to see the four of them vacation together. You know, you have Amanda and Carmen and of course, Johnny and Daniel. That'd be hilarious.

Sal Rodriguez:

Hang on. Yeah. I feel like you're turning into a Judd Apatow movie. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

I'm turning it into like a sitcom Family Matters or something. Alright, so Sal, why don't you take the second point lesson

Sal Rodriguez:

number two Let the bad guy do his thing. Terry was the best part of Karate Kid three he could easily be the most entertaining character in Cobra Kai Season Four too. I just hope the show could come up with something more creative than Terry driving a wedge between Daniel and Johnny just like he did with Daniel and Miyagi. Instead, the franchise's Best Villain needs to do something new. That still feels in keeping with his character. Interesting. So you got me thinking when you brought up a second ago? What if he's broken? He lost his fortune? Right? It would be an interesting twist. Yeah, it would be because we're expecting him to come Oh boy. We're gonna see some you know some Bill Gates money here some Jeff Bezos money here. Coming into season four, but maybe not.

Jason Connell:

Hey, listen. as crooked as he was on the credit card part three. He could have done time for a while you know how the world likes to take down these big guys who are on the wrong and it could have happened he could be out and kind of rehabilitated and creases bringing him in? I don't know. We don't know. We can't just assume though. You're right. He's going to pick things right back up on a jet and fly in and save the day. I think his buddy crease is like hey, come on. You know we can do this together. So it might be a humbled, but just as a go back to what it does she call him a master manipulator. Pure evil psychotic villain, hopefully still has that cackling villain laugh as well. So

Sal Rodriguez:

I'm looking forward to seeing the ponytail.

Jason Connell:

Oh, we know we see that from the trailer. Yeah.

Sal Rodriguez:

And that's what got everybody confused because we thought oh, yeah, ponytail. was Terry silver. And that wasn't the case. So yeah, they they flipped the script on that one. So I look forward to seeing him fight me. I look forward to seeing what he still got.

Jason Connell:

Yes. So now the biggest lessons now and that is keep some characters in the past.

Sal Rodriguez:

Oh. This one kind of hurts. This one kind of see because I like the way they're bringing. No I like the way they're bringing everyone to let's bring I'm waiting for BD Wong. I am waiting. Yeah. I want every What is he saying?

Jason Connell:

And what's his famous line?

Sal Rodriguez:

Come into the dance tonight. BD Wong man we're fans love come on to the show come out of the show.

Jason Connell:

So I agree with you. I've loved everyone they've brought back but this is the writers This is the straight from the article. Season three feature two of Daniels ex girlfriends. But there's one character season for could but probably shouldn't reintroduce. Jessica. Oh, there's nothing wrong with Robin Lively's performance. She's just the designated girl character who doesn't have much to do. Jessica wasn't even Daniel's girlfriend. They were just friends, the result of a script rewrite due to the awkwardness of macho and Lively's. 11 year age difference, Sal, this is news to me.

Sal Rodriguez:

You didn't know there was an 11 year aged if I didn't

Jason Connell:

know it was a rewrite. I'm assuming this comes, you know, somewhat vetted out information. So there could have been a love interest because it became a platonic thing right away. And I was a little disappointed too, because, you know, he's lost. Ally, right? Yeah, he's lost Kumiko sadly, which that's a whole we could talk about that forever. So bring her to the states let her go to the dancing thing. And, and they're an item. And here's Jessica sweet girl that has a shop next to Miyagi little trees. And yeah, it could have went a love story, and I was hoping for it, honestly.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, I'll tell you one thing. I don't know if I was hoping for a love story. But once I realized it wasn't a love story. I thought there should have been a guy if they're just gonna have a platonic friendship. Yeah, it should have been a guy. You know why? Because he didn't have any good buddies. Yaki. Okay, Miyagi is not like your buddy, necessarily. He's your he's your friend. He's your mentor. He's your teachers, your sensei, almost like a grandfather figure are fantastic. Or a father. That's all fantastic. But that's not a buddy. You know, that's not. That's not a peer, you know? And Daniel had no peer. I mean, look what happened in the first movie. He had Friday for him. Look what happened with Freddie Freddie threw him under the bus, Freddie.

Jason Connell:

Freddie was to finals like, yeah, man. I know that guy. He's in an apartment next to me at the South Seas apartment. Yeah, we're friends. We're friends. I know

Sal Rodriguez:

him. Yeah, that's what I thought it should have been a guy a good buddy, since it wasn't. Uh, yeah, I didn't really see the point now. Do I think that means that Jessica doesn't need to be around ever again. Well, I will say this. I don't see the point in having her around. Like what would be the point and objective and bringing back Jessica, it wouldn't really make any sense

Jason Connell:

and they can do a cameo. If that's what they want to do. They could do a cameo like where are they now? She's with the guy. Well, let me finish

Sal Rodriguez:

what the wait I know. I know. Hey, look, let's go back. Let's go back a little bit. Come have a Daniel look it on Facebook. And he's like kind I'm checking out Jessica's Facebook in passing, and we go, Oh my God. That's all. That's all and we move on and we move on.

Jason Connell:

I like that. So and the article does say, and she was shipped back to Ohio before the movie even ended true. Bringing Jessica back would be a waste of time and serve no purpose besides pure nostalgia. Now I like pure nostalgia. However, I agree. I like your takeaway, a subtle callback just a little callback tip of the cap. Yes, a little. Hey, yeah, that was a girl. Or it could come up in conversations, although he's already had the chance because he talked about girls from his past to Sam. Right, Samantha, one time, he could have done it, then. You know, there was Kimiko. And it was Jessica and there was others. I mean, that would have been a time to do it. But I'm with you. It wouldn't kill me though. So I think she's a little bit more anti Jessica. Yeah, yeah. I'd be fine if she showed up at some PTA meeting. And it was like, oh, an Easter egg. So

Sal Rodriguez:

well, because you know, why put it this way? Even though in Karate Kid three. I wondered why she was there. Here we are today. Yeah. Well, she was there. Yeah. So that's it. She was there. So does that mean she should be written out completely? I do not believe that at all. No. Yeah.

Jason Connell:

So anyway, fun, fun article to explore. I thought we could have some fun with it. I don't necessarily agree with all of it. But it evokes ideas and got me spin on the rule change and all these things and how we could probably make our own lessons from the Karate Kid part three. Cobra Kai could learn but it was fun to go down. So thank you and verse. Thank you, Laura Kelly, for the good stuff. And great job. Great

Sal Rodriguez:

job, Laura. From a former newspaper editor. That's right. Great job, great article

Jason Connell:

and good job on your 80s.

Sal Rodriguez:

And everybody remember, apostrophe? Eight, zero s, that's

Jason Connell:

what not a zero apostrophe s. No, because you just get the red ink out and you mark it out and you circle it and you send it back to the reporter right, the right.

Sal Rodriguez:

Well, you know, because they may be thinking that they maybe are referring to someone in their 80s Ah, then then.

Jason Connell:

Well, that's all I got. So a lot of fun. We'll be back with more. Anything else?

Sal Rodriguez:

No, I really enjoyed that. And hey, look forward to more articles from Laura Kelly. Yeah,

Jason Connell:

absolutely. Maybe you can be her editor someday so I would oblige. So thank you so much for listening and please be sure to subscribe to Let's Talk Cobra Kai, wherever you get your podcast. You can also really help us by giving the show a five star rating on Apple podcast.

Sal Rodriguez:

And for all your listeners that enjoy sharing your thoughts. You can leave us a review on Apple podcasts, send us a direct message or post a comment on our social media which is at let's talk Cobra Kai, as well as at just curious media.

Jason Connell:

If you're a dedicated listener of Let's Talk Cobra Kai, consider supporting the show on Patreon. This greatly benefits us on many fronts and offers you access to exclusive content and much more. We also highly recommend checking out our other podcast and visiting just curious media.com

Sal Rodriguez:

No Mercy

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